THIS week marks the end of an era at the GEN II training centre at Sellafield as apprentice training relocates to the new Energus facility at Lillyhall.

The B111 training centre was purpose built by British Nuclear Group back in 1981 as Sellafield’s dedicated apprentice training centre.

The first intake of just 60 apprentices increased over the years, peaking at around 240 first and second year apprentices undergoing training.

The apprentice training and centre was taken over by GEN II in late 1999 with many of the original Sellafield training staff transferring into the new company.

Over the past 10 years, GEN II has continued to train many local apprentices in trades such as electricians, mechanical engineers and fabricators for the Sellafield Site and other local employers.

Jim Messenger, Sellafield site manager for GEN II, has spent almost 30 years in the centre as an electrical instructor, support engineer and more recently a Facilities Manager.

“I have enjoyed every minute of working in the centre,” said Jim. “The staff and apprentices have made the centre a great success over the years. Some of my former apprentices have gone on to achieve very senior positions within the nuclear and other industries.”

Sellafield will continue to train apprentices via GEN II but, as from next week, the apprentices will be trained in the Energus facility at Workington.

Jim, who has been personally involved in the transition project to move the location of the training, added: “It is the end of one era and the start of a new one and I would like to wish the next 30 years of apprentices every success in their careers”.

Mike Smith, managing director of GEN II, said: “This is a time of mixed emotions as we leave a centre with many fond memories, having trained 800 apprentices over 10 years, but look to the future and the start of a new chapter of apprentice training in the Energus facility.

“The transition of learners from the current centre at Sellafield to the Energus facility at Lillyhall enables us to provide training in some of the best facilities the country has to offer, ensuring that local employers continue to have access to some of the UK’s most highly skilled apprentices.”

The apprentices will start their training in the new Energus facility on September 14.